Rising Stars 2009: Where are they now?

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, March 7, 2010

Rising Star chef, Lisa Eyherabide of Gitane restaurant, in San Francisco, Calif., on March 2, 2009.

Rising Star chef, Lisa Eyherabide of Gitane restaurant, in San Francisco, Calif., on March 2, 2009.

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

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Former Moss Room Justin Simoneaux will be chef at the new Boxing Room in San Francisco.

Former Moss Room Justin Simoneaux will be chef at the new Boxing Room in San Francisco.

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

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Louis Maldonado, chef at Cafe Majestic in San Francisco, Calif., on March 6, 2009

Louis Maldonado, chef at Cafe Majestic in San Francisco, Calif., on March 6, 2009

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

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Rodrigo Da Silva, pictured here at Corso with a pig, will be headed home to Baixo Guanta, Brazil to open a restaurant and bar with his family.

Rodrigo Da Silva, pictured here at Corso with a pig, will be headed home to Baixo Guanta, Brazil to open a restaurant and bar with his family.

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

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Melissa Chou, pastry chef at Aziza restaurant, in San Francisco, Calif., on March 4, 2009. Her radio that she likes to listens to while she works is on the shelf above.

Melissa Chou, pastry chef at Aziza restaurant, in San Francisco, Calif., on March 4, 2009. Her radio that she likes to listens to while she works is on the shelf above.

Photo: Craig Lee, The Chronicle

Rising Stars 2009: Where are they now?

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We recently caught up with last year's class of chefs. Only one has moved on from his or her Rising Star restaurant.

Louis Maldonadowas chosen a Rising Star when he headed the kitchen at San Francisco's Cafe Majestic. That restaurant morphed into Uptown Joe's, and Maldonado is now chef de cuisine at Mourad Lahlou's Aziza in San Francisco. Along with managing the kitchen, Maldonado is also helping Lahlou with his forthcoming cookbook.

Melissa Chou remains pastry chef at Aziza, and is also working with Mourad Lahlou on recipes for his new cookbook.

Lisa Eyherabideis still chef de cuisine at Gitane in San Francisco. She is busy writing recipes and menus.

Justin Simoneauxremains as chef de cuisine at the Moss Room in San Francisco. He says he's working on new recipes and menus and "cooking good food."

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